RUGBY UNION: Italian signings are just the job for Chinnor

Chinnor have completed their Italian job with the signings of international props Tino Paoletti and Simone Carloni.

Director of rugby Matt Williams was delighted to capture the duo, who follow Junior Fatialofa in joining the ambitious National 2 South club.

Tighthead prop Paoletti has been capped 18 times by Italy, and comes to Chinnor as a scrum coach as well as a player from Rugby Lyons Piacenza in the Italian Serie A.

Carloni, who played rugby league for his country, arrives from Serie A rugby union outfit Amatori Alghero.

Paoletti, who is 6ft tall and 20st 6lb, has previously played for French Top 14 team La Rochelle, as well as Newcastle Falcons, Plymouth Albion and Italian clubs Overmach Parma and Rugby Roma.

The 36-year-old made his full Test debut for Italy in the Six Nations win over Scotland in February 2000, starting every match in the tournament that year.

Chinnor director of rugby, Matt Williams, said of his new recruit: “Tino has been a long time family friend and I have watched him over many years dismantle opposition scrums at every level from the Heineken Cup to Leeds on a cold Friday night in the Premiership.

“I am very excited to finally be able to work with him on a professional level too.”

Paoletti, speaking from Italy, added: “My family have all moved to London, and England has always been kind to me.

“I’m really excited to be coming back and working with my friend.

“I will give my all to Chinnor and I hope it can be my home for the future.”

Carloni, 26, has joined after a glowing reference from his former manager.

Williams said: “Simone was highly-recommended to me by his previous coach.

“He is a very hard man and arrives with a good ball-carrying reputation. He is also very quick.”

Carloni made his debut for the Italian national rugby league team in June against World Select Barbarians and was man of the match.

But he now wants to focus his attentions on becoming a big name in rugby union.

“Having played a full season rotating between a No 3 and No 1 prop, I am excited to be under the tutelage of Tino,” he said.

“He is a great player and I hope I can be a big service to Chinnor.”

Williams added: “With the retention of Joe Winpenny as well as Ricky Cano, and Stocky (Ian Stock) back from injury, we now have great strength in depth which is key at prop.”

Matthew Dye has taken over as captain of newly-promoted Bicester.

Dye replaces Dan Spencer as skipper of the side that next season will play in Southern Counties North.